Lead Global Mission Design & Flight Dynamics

Rocketlab; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 210,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab seeks a Head of Mission Design & Flight Dynamics to lead the discipline across missions and locations, guiding analysis, development, and operations. The role can be based in New Zealand or the United States, with a focus on strategic leadership and long-term capability growth.

You will mentor a global team, drive automation, and coordinate cross-functional decisions while maintaining awareness of spacecraft operations interfaces and system-level considerations.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of applied spacecraft flight dynamics and/or operations experience
• Experience in software development and testing related to flight dynamics
• Ability to balance complex, parallel tasks
• Proven ability to motivate geographically distributed teams
• Background in orbit determination or trajectory optimisation
• Experience with hiring, performance, and remuneration cycles

Responsibilities

• Own the vision and direction of the Mission Design & Flight Dynamics technology roadmap, balancing live mission delivery with long-term capability growth.
• Drive measurable progress toward greater automation, efficiency, and expanded operational capability.
• Provide mentorship, clarity of vision, prioritisation, and motivation to the Flight Dynamics team during development phases and operational campaigns.
• Lead a global multi-site team, supported by regional Team Leads who manage day-to-day execution.
• Focus on strategic leadership, technical forecasting, emergent risk response, and cross-functional decision making.
• Maintain strong technical awareness across interfaces including Spacecraft Operations, FSW, GNC, GSW, and Systems.

Skills

Spaceflight dynamics

Team leadership

Pressure handling

Geometry optimization

Cross-functional influence

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s/PhD in Aerospace Engineering or related

Job description

Rocket Lab seeks a Head of Mission Design & Flight Dynamics to lead the discipline across missions and locations, guiding analysis, development, and operations. The role can be based in New Zealand or the United States, with a focus on strategic leadership and long-term capability growth.

You will mentor a global team, drive automation, and coordinate cross-functional decisions while maintaining awareness of spacecraft operations interfaces and system-level considerations.